Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and Satisfaction with Life: Moderating Role of Interpersonal Needs among University Students

Abstract

Background Depression, anxiety, and stress are ranked among the top mental health concerns faced by university students. The transition to higher education coincides with a new social environment and adaptation that has potential to increase mental health conditions. However, limited studies in Malaysia have examined the relationship among depression, anxiety, stress, and satisfaction with life with interpersonal needs. Thus, this study was performed to assess the relationship among depression, anxiety, stress, and satisfaction with life, with interpersonal needs (perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness) as moderators. Method A cross-sectional study using convenient sampling method was conducted among 430 students (Mean aged= 20.73 years; SD = 1.26 years) in two private universities in Malaysia. A self-administered questionnaire comprising the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire were used. Results Students who experienced depression and anxiety reported higher satisfaction with life under the influenced of low perceived burdensomeness. Perceived burdensomeness, when coupled with depression (β = 0.76, p < 0.01) and anxiety (β = 0.79, p < 0.01), contributed 15.8% of variance in satisfaction with life. Students who experienced stress reported higher satisfaction with life under the influence of high thwarted belonginess (β = 0.73, p < 0.01), contributing 17.0% of variance in satisfaction with life. Conclusions For university students who experienced depression and anxiety symptoms, mental health practitioners, researchers, and teaching staff may need to be aware and educate the students on how to reduce and manage their perceptions on perceived burdensomeness. For university students who experienced stress symptoms, the focus shall not be solely on managing perception towards thwarted belonginess as it is not necessarily perceive as a negative ‘interpersonal need’ in this study. Future studies are required to substantiate this result.